The Truth About Self-harm

By: Gabby Frost

Self-harm. It’s a newer concept arising in our generation. Many people don’t fully understand it, which has created a stigma. According to The Refuge, due to “self-injury frequently occur[ing] in private, rates of self-harm are difficult to determine.”

No matter what the statistics truly are, it is clear that self-harm is something we need to raise awareness for so that people are properly educated.

Education is the key to ending ignorance, which will end stigmas since they are a result of ignorance. People need to realize that self-harming is an addiction. It is not something someone can stop doing immediately. Ending a self-harm addiction takes time. It is a journey that requires patience and strength.

I know there are many of you that are currently reading this who might have a self-harm addiction or have a friend who does. I’m going to list some good alternatives to self-harm so that you can let out your emotions in a healthy way or spread them on to your friend(s) who need it. I’ll also put some important sites at the bottom in case you need advice on telling your parents/guardian about it or if you have a friend who you want to encourage getting help.

But before I list some alternatives, here is a message out there to anyone who has ever self-harmed (I actually wrote this post about 2 years ago and it is on my tumblr).

ALTERNATIVES

· Scribble on photos of people in magazines

· Tear apart newspapers, photos, or magazines

· Go to the gym, dance, or any type of physical activity

· Splatter paint

· Write your feelings on paper then rip it

· Run your hands under freezing cold water

· Clap your hands repeatedly

· Splash your face with cold water

· Take a hot shower/bath

· Write or paint on yourself (don’t use pen!)

· Take a bath with ice cubes (it gives a numbing sensation)

· Bite into a hot pepper

· Count ceiling lights or tiles

· Play a musical instrument

· Doodle on sheets of paper

· Write out lyrics to your favorite song

· Browse eBay or Amazon

· Memorize a poem with meaning

· Learn to swear in another language

· Go outside and watch the clouds roll by

· Re-organize your room

· Draw or paint

· Buy a cuddly toy

· Wander aimlessly through a bookstore

· Watch a favorite TV show or movie

· Eat something ridiculously sweet

· Remember a happy moment and relive it in your head

· Look at things that are special to you

· Youtube funny videos

· Let yourself cry

· Write words in the sand and let them by washed away

· Meditate/do yoga

· Hug a pillow or soft toy

· Crunch ice

· Feel your pulse to prove you’re alive

· Create a safe place and take yourself there

· Remember that you don’t have to hurt yourself just because you’re thinking about self-harm

· Make a notebook of song lyrics you relate to

· Paint yourself with red tempra paint

· Repeat to yourself “I don’t deserve to be hurt” until you believe it

Angry, frustrated, restless?

· Hit a punching bag

· Use a pillow to hit a wall, pillow-fight style

· Rip up an old newspaper or phone book

· On a sketch or photo of yourself, mark in red ink where you feel like cutting

· Make Play-doh or Sculpey or other clay models and smash them

· Throw ice against something hard enough to shatter it

· Crank up some music and dance

· Go for a walk/jog/run

· Play a physical sport

Sad, depressed, unhappy?

· Do something slow and soothing, like taking a hot bath

· Light sweet-smelling incense

· Listen to soothing music

· Smooth nice body lotion into the parts of yourself you want to hurt

· Call a friend and just talk about things that you like

· Visit a friend

Craving sensation, feeling unreal?

· Squeeze ice cubes hard

· Put a finger into frozen food (like ice cream)

· Take a cold bath

· Focus on how it feels to breathe. Notice how your body moves

Wanting to see scars or pick scabs?

· Get a henna tattoo kit. You put the henna on as a paste and leave it overnight; the next day you can pick it off as you would a scab and it leaves an orange-red mark behind

RESOURCES

I found some sites that I think would be useful for anyone looking for more information on self-harm and advice if you or someone you know wants to tell their parents/guardians or get help.